Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 3008, Robert Donnelly, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn
Donnelly, Robert,
R 3008
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing entries.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing entries.

State of Vermont District of Chittenden } } } } }
In this 18 th day of July  August , A.D. 1853, personally appeared in open Court before the Hon. the Probate Court, now sitting at Burlington within and for the County and District of Chittenden and State of Vermont, William G. Shaw, of Burlington aforesaid, who is administrator of the estate of Robert Donnelly, late of Buckingham, in the Province of Canada, deceased, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the act of Congress, passed June 7 1832, for the benefit of the surviving children of the said Robert Donnelly, deceased:
That the said Robert Donnelly entered the service of the United States, as this declarant is informed and believes, near the commencement of the Revolutionary War, in a Company of Artificers sent from Salisbury in the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut, and was discharged under Captain Peck, in the year 1776; that in the same year, he volunteered under Capt. Beebe in Col. Hooker's Regiment of Connecticut Troops, and joined the Brigade under General Wooster;
That in the spring of 1777, he served in Capt. Sargeant's Company; went from Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire in the State of Massachusetts; that he subsequently served under Captain Marsh, under Genl. Fellows and Genl. Ashley, was in the retreat from St. Johns to Stillwater, and also rendered other services during said war, under Capt. Raymond, and other officers; that he served in all, in the Connecticut and Massachusetts Troops in said war, about the period of nine months -
He further declares that the said Robert Donnelly died at said Buckingham on the first day of November,

1845; that he left no widow, but left the following named children who are his only surviving children, and are all of full age, viz. Amos Donnelly, Jane Donlin, Elizabeth Donnelly, Jericia Donnelly and John Donnelly.
He hereby relinquishes to a pension or annuity to which the said Robert Donnelly might have been or was entitled at the time of his death, except the present; and declares that his the said Donnelly's name is not, nor has it ever been on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
And he sends herewith a statement made by the said Robert Donnelly in his life time, in his own hand writing, relating to his Revolutionary services to which this declarant hereby refers; and he hereby constitutes Benjamin H. Baldwin of Washington D.C. his Attorney to prosecute his claim for the arrears of Pension due to said Donnelly.
William G. Shaw
Sworn to, subscribed and acknowledged on the day and year first above written before me: and I certify that the declarant is a man of truth and credibility, and I further certify that the word "July" was erased and the word "August" interlined on the first line of the first page of said Declaration before signing -
W. H. French Judge of Probate for the District of Chittenden
State of Vermont
District of Chittenden } ss.
I, David French Register of the Probate Court in and for said District and State do hereby certify that the foregoing declaration was made by Wm. G. Shaw aforesaid in open Court on the day & year first therein mentioned before the Hon. Wm. H. French whose signature appears at the close of said declaration and who was at the date thereof and is now Judge of the Probate Court in and for said District; and I further certify that the said Wm. G. Shaw has been appointed and duly authorized to act as Administrator of the Estate of said

Robert Donnelly deceased, and has given a bond to said Court with sufficient surety, in the penal sum of six hundred dollars conditioned for the faithful performance by the said Shaw of his duties as Administrator of the Estate of said Donnelly -
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 24 th day of August, A.D. 1883,
D. French Register.

affidavit of James Donnelly Buckingham

Province of Canada (District of Ottawa) } Personally Came and appeared before me the undersigned one of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace in and for the said District of Ottawa Robert D. Ackert of the Village of Buckingham Under whom being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelist doth depose and say, that on several occasions this deponent heard his Grand Father Robert Donnelly speak of his serving in the American Revolutionary War for the term of Nine months and for which he expected a Pension, and that he on several occasions demanded of this deponent money to go and enable him to draw his Pension
And this deponent further states that the said Robert Donnelly frequently speak of his being born in New York Rhode Island and this deponent testifies of his Grand Father Robert Donnelly having died at Buckingham On the first day of November One thousand Eight hundred and forty five
Sworn before me at Buckingham } R. D. Ackert this Sixth day of April 1855 Hugh Gormley, P.

Province of Canada } Personally Came and appeared before (District of Ottawa) } me the undersigned one of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace in and for the said District of Ottawa; Thomas Donnelly of the Township of Buckingham in the said District Farmer who being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelist doth depose and say that he is the son of the deceased Robert Donnelly whom this deponent heard times say of him- self being engaged in several engagements during the term of Nine Months which he heard him say that he served in the War of American Independence.
And this deponent further states that he heard him state of his having every right to draw a Pension for that he had served a longer time than was necessary to draw a Pension.
Thomas Donnelly
Sworn before me at Buckingham this sixth day of April 1855
Hugh Gorman J.P.

Acts of July 11, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
3008.
P. O. _____
Robert Donnelly
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
REJECTED
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized.
_____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
135
Secretary's Office, Boston, February 7. th 1855.
I Hereby Certify , That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that The name of Robert Donnelly is borne on pay roll of Capt. David Pixley's Comp. Col. John Brown's Regt. from Stockbridge from June 30. 1777. 22 days, as private. 22 87  Also on pay roll of Capt. William Francis' Comp. Col. John Ashley's Regt. from July 22. to Aug. 13. 1777 & 32 miles, 25 days, as private. 25  Also on pay roll of Capt. Ambrose Hill's Comp. Lt. Col. Miles Powell's Regt. Berkshire Co. from July 18. to Aug. 22. 1779. & 110. miles 1 month 10. days, as private. 40.  Also on pay roll of Capt. Joseph Raimont's. Comp. Col. Israel Chapin's Regt. from Oct. 18. 1779. 38 1 month 8 days, as private.  Also on pay roll of Capt. Ezra Whittlesey's Comp 3 rd Regt of Militia from Berkshire (vintly) on Two Alarms, on the 14 th of Oct. 1780. 4 days, and On the 20 of Oct. 1780 3 days - Total 7 days. 7

Also on roll of Capt. Ezra Whittlesey's Comp. 3 rd Regt. of the Berkshire Militia on the Alarum of Nov. 5, 1780. 3. days, as private.
Name not borne on roll of Capt Eustis Sargents Comp. but Irene Donnelly is there found.
Name not borne on roll of Capt. Isaac Marsh's Comp.
No further evidence.
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M c Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Burlington, Vt. Jany 30. 1895.
Dr. Sir.
Be pleased to inform us if the name of Robert Donnelly is borne upon the revolutionary rolls in your office.
We have a statement made by him, in his lifetime, from which it appears that he served both in the Connecticut and Massachusetts troops, in Mass. as follows -
about 4 weeks, under Capt Sergeant, commanded by Maj r Rossiter, Berkshire County, in 1777 In 1778, 6 weeks under Capt Marsh, in Genl. Fellows Brigade. afterwards 8 days guarding prisoners after Bennington battle. discharged at Williamstown. Also an enlistment at Stockbridge for 3 mo s . under Capt Raymond, commanded by Maj r Banns, discharged after one month's service. Also a further service from Stockbridge at New Haven, Ct under Capt Raymond.
Please state how long he served in the different engagements, as shown from your rolls, and also your charges, which we will promptly remit to you.
Hon. O. M. Wright Secy State, Boston, Ms.
Very respectfully, Weston V. Shaw,

Hon J. Stuart Court of Pensions
Claim under Act of 3 June 7. 1832

Washington Aug d 28/55
Hon D Minot Comt. of Pensions
Sir. I beg leave to you herewith the claim of the heirs of Robert Donnelly deceased under the act of June 7 th 1832. with proofs in support of the same. It is understood that rolls of Capt Brereton's Co are on file in your office and to which I beg leave to call your attention
Respectfully
Bryst Baldwin

Certificate of Comptroller of Connecticut in regard to Prof. Donnelly's service

State of Connecticut Comptrollers office Hartford Feb. 15 th 1835
I certify, that on application for evidence of the service of Robert Donnelly, in the war of the Revolution, I have examined the documents remaining in this office, and do not find that name, on any Pay Roll now in this office, nor do I find any Pay Roll for the service of Capt. Peck, or Capt. David Bebee's companies, in said war, in which it is alleged that the said Donnelly served.
On a Pay Table Ledger in this office, I find accounts with Capt. Samuel Peck, as follows viz Capt. Saml. Peck "Wester's Regt." is charged May 17 th 1775 to Feb 16 th 1776 with sundry orders on Frasier &c, amounting to "£1.762. 8. 1."
This acct. was balanced Feb. 16 th 1776, By his account rendered £1762. 8. 1. I find by a reference to the Day book, where the acct. was entered, that one item of the acct. is "for wages of his Co. £1.314. 4. 10."
The account is continued on the same page of the Ledger with Capt. Samuel Peck, in Col. Wm. Douglass' Regt. where he is charged June 24 th 1776, To ordn on Frasier £580. (for his Co.)

The last account was balanced Feb. 10 th 1777
By his account recd. $580.
This acct. was for Enlisting Premium on men 192. Equipping 6 Bn. 10. 1 month's Wages $153.12 and sundry other charges making in the whole $580. I find also an account with Capt. David Beebe as follows
1779 March 9 th To Cash recd of Col. Hooker $320. 19 To ditto " of Col Ennis 30 To ordn on Freight. 2,160 15.7 Credit $2,510. 15.7 1779 March 29 By account recd. for his b d $2,510. 15.7
John Dunham Comptroller by Geo Robinson Clerk

His EXCELLENCY SIR EDMUND WALKER HEAD, BARONET, Governor General of British North America, and Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over the Provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Island of Prince Edward, and Vice Admiral of the same, &c. &c. &c.
To all whom these Presents shall come—Greeting:
THESE ARE TO CERTIFY, that
Hugh Gorman Esquire whose name is subscribed to the annexed Affidavits, is a Justice of the Peace, duly appointed in and for the District of Ottawa, — and was a Justice of the Peace in and for the said District at the date of the said Affidavits — to wit: on the sixth day of April now last past, —
that part of the Province of Canada, called Lower Canada, and that full faith and credence are due and ought to be given to such signature and act in all places.
GIVEN under my Hand and Office Seal, at Quebec, this fifth day of July in the year of Our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty five and of Her Majesty's Reign the nineteenth
By Command,
T. D. Harrington Rec. of the Secy
[Large handwritten signature]

Affidavit
of
Justin Smith
Buckingham

Province of Canada { (District of Ottawa)
I personally came and appeared before me the undersigned one of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace in and for the said District of Ottawa. Justus Smith of the Township of Buckingham in the said District former who being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelist doth depose and say, that he frequently heard Robert Donnelly speak of his having served in the American Revolutionary War and heard him frequently speak of his having served for the time of Nine or Ten Months and that he expected a Pension for his service. He heard him frequently say of his having been born in Rhode Island and this Deponent further states that the said Robert Donnelly died at Buckingham on or about the first day of the Month of November 1845.
Sworn before me at Buckingham in the District aforesaid this Sixth day of April 1855
Hugh Gorman J.P.
Justus Smith

I, Lawrence G. Bigelow, of Burlington in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont aged Forty some years, being duly sworn, on oath say, that I was well acquainted with Robert Donnelly, deceased, late of Buckingham in the Province of Canada East; I was on very intimate terms of acquaintance with him for twelve or fifteen years before his death, during which time I resided at said Buckingham; I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and I further say that the paper purporting to be signed by Robert Donnelly, referred to in the accompanying affidavit of William Weston, and headed "Memorandum of services I have done in the Revolutionary War between Great Britain and America beginning in the year 1775", is in the hand writing of the said Robert Donnelly.
I further say that I frequently heard the said Robert Donnelly speak of his having served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War between this Country and Great Britain, though I cannot remember what particulars he gave, in regard to the length of his service.
I further say that the said Robert Donnelly was a man of undoubted truth and integrity and that I would put implicit confidence in the truth of his statements; during my acquaintance with him he was, however, very poor.
I further say that the said Robert Donnelly died at said Buckingham on or about the 1 st day of November 1843, and that I attended his funeral.
He left no widow, but left the following named children, who are his only surviving children viz: Anna Donnelly, Jane Donlin, Elizabeth Donnelly, Jericia Donnelly and John Donnelly.
And I further state that I have no interest in any claim for Pension due the said Robert Donnelly or his said children.
Lawrence G. Bigelow

State of Vermont, Chittenden County ss -
Personally appeared before me this 28 th day of July A.D. 1883 Lawrence G. Bigelow, and made oath to the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed; and I further certify that the affiant is a man of credibility and that I have no interest in any claim of the said Donnelly or his children: and I further certify that the words "as a soldier" in said affidavit were interlined before signing.
William G. N. D. Estlin Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont, } CHITTENDEN, ss. County Clerk's Office.
I, J. S. ADAMS, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Chittenden, being a Court of Record and having a seal, as hereto attached, do certify that
William W. Peck - Esq.
was, at the date of the paper writings to which this is attached, and now is a
Justice of the Peace -
within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his signature to the foregoing jurats and certificates are genuine; that the said paper writings are executed according to the Laws of this State, and are in due form; and that as such Officer, he is duly authorized by the Laws of this State to take acknowledgments of Deeds and Depositions, and to administer Oaths, &c.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of Court, at Burlington, this Sixth day of August Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and fifty five
J. S. Adams - CLERK.

I William Weston, of Burlington, in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont, testify and say, that on or about the 24 th day of February, 1841, Col. Henry Thomas, then of said Burlington, but now deceased, placed in my hands a letter hereto annexed marked (A) from Nahum Hall, then of Montreal, Canada, but now deceased, (with whom I was personally acquainted); also - paper marked (B) hereto annexed, being a memorandum of Robert Donnelly's services in the Revolutionary war; and on receiving said papers from said Thomas, I addressed a note to said Hall, stating that it would be necessary for Mr. Donnelly to come into the United States and make a declaration before a court of record, stating his revolutionary services, in order to obtain the benefits of the act of June 7. 1832.
Some two years afterwards said Donnelly came to Burlington, and consulted me in relation to procuring a pension. At that time I had mislaid the said letter and statement which I received from said Thomas, and could not find them, whereupon the said Donnelly drew up another paper stating his revolutionary services which is hereto annexed, marked (C) all of which last mentioned statement is in said Donnelly's hand writing, with the exception of paragraphs No. 6, and 7. Said paragraph, No 6, is in the hand writing of George B. Shaw, my former partner, now deceased, who wrote it at the request of said Donnelly: - and before said Donnelly left town he handed me the paper hereto annexed, marked D, as

containing an item of service which I omitted he had omitted, and I entered the substance of it as paragraph No. 7, upon his said memorandum. I took said memorandum from said Donnelly, with the expectation of having an opportunity of examining the revolutionary rolls in the Comptroller's office at Hartford, Ct, and in the Secretary of State's office in Boston, Ms., but I never made such examination. Said papers have all been in my possession from the time they were severally left with me to the present time.
From having seen the said Donnelly write said paper marked C, (excepting paragraphs No. 6 & 7) I believe the paper marked B to be in his hand writing.
Said Donnelly did not at that time make any declaration before any court, nor did he at any other time, to my knowledge.
I have no interest in the claim of said Donnelly's children for the pension due to him at the time of his death, excepting that our firm of Weston & Shaw are engaged in the preparation and presentation thereof, as counsel; but I am quite confident that said such engagement has not influenced me in stating the facts, to make them stronger than they actually are.
Wm Weston
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28 th day of July, 1855. And I certify that I am not interested in said claim for a pension, nor am I concerned in the

prosecution thereof. I further certify that I am well acquainted with the affiant and that he is a credible person -
William M. Peabody, Justice of Peace
I further state that the reason why I did not do something more to procure said Donnelly's pension was that I did not go either to Hartford or Boston to examine the rolls, nor send to either place, and I heard nothing from him until I heard of his death - and, until recently, I did not know that he left children.
Yours Westport
Sworn to and subscribed before me William M. Peabody Justice of Peace

Montreal Feby 22 nd 1821
( A. )
Col Thomas
Dr. Sir
I am well aware that you are frequently called upon to do acts of charity and your willingness on all such occasions has induced me to solicit your attention to the enclosed As I am totally ignorant of what steps it is necessary to take, some 15 or 16 yrs ago, knowing the old man's poverty and knowing as well as we can know that the story of his services is a true one. I told him to apply to the United States Government for a pension. His answer was not as long as he could work for he had a spirit above that. The enclosed is in his own handwriting he is 82 yrs of age, he has got too old to labour any more his wife is dead she was a Burlington woman sister of Brundson's; he has children but none of them able to help him. His memory is great as well as his mind he is one of the Queen's magistrates of Buckingham Mr Shaw of your place must be well acquainted with him although poor he has always supported a good character and in short a very respectable old man should you want any depositions to substantiate my account of him I can get you as many as you may ask for. He made me a visit the other day & told me that he had got so destitute that he was actually necessitated to take my advice & apply for a pension. I hope you will succeed & pay back pay for him
I am Sir respectfully Yours M. Hall

Robert Donnelly Donnelly applicant for pension. handed me by Col Thomas - Feb 24. 1841.
N.W.

Memorandum of Services I have done in the Revolutionary war between Great Britain and America beginning in the year 1775
(B) First Served in a Company of Artificers Sent from Salisbury County of Litchfield State of Connecticut Served 6 wks six weeks & then discharged under Capt Peck which was in the year 1776
2 mo Same year entered in a Company of Volunteers for two months Served the time out & discharged from the same place Salisbury County of Litchfield Connecticut State under Capt David Bely Col. Hooker regiment we was joined to the Brigade of Genl. Wooster
3 wks In the Spring of the year 1777 went in the Company of Capt Sergeant Served three weeks and then discharged Listed in Stockbridge Berkshire County State of Massachusetts —
6 wks The Summer following Served six weeks in the Company Capt Marks part of the time in the Brigade of Genl. Fellows & the rest of the time under Genl. Starky was in the retreat from St. Johns to Still Water before S r Burgoyne Was call d out after Bennington Battle & was in the guard Guard that guarded the Prisoners Served Eight Days —
3 mo After this I Engaged for three months then Stationed at Albany Served one month 1 mo and then Discharged the whole was at this time under the Command of Capt Brannond

After this is Engaged for one Month we were ordered to Newhaven where we stayed & did Duty one Month & then discharged do not at the time recollect My Capt's Name our Adjt's Name was Semhar
1 mo
Buckingham July 2 d 1841
Robt Donnelly aged 82 Last Nov r
15 7 34/105 3 1/2 2 1 1 7 1/2
24 80. 7 1/2 80 560 40 24/600/25, 48 120 120
250

Robert Donally
Memo. of his services in Rev. War.

Memoir of My Services in the United States in the American Revolution (C)
first engaged with Capt. Peck of Connecticut the Town of Salisbury County of Litchfield St. of Connecticut served near two months as artificer artificer
2 Enlisted in a Company of Volunteers served two months Commanded by Capt David Bebb under Col. Hooker of Hartford or Farmington for which under Genl. Wooster this Service was done in the year 1776. Dismissed in Feb'y following served in the State of New York
3 Engaged under Capt. Sargent Commanded by Maj. Rositer of Berkshire County Massachusetts State Served between three & four weeks
4th Served one month & half under Capt. Nash part of the time under Genl. Nixon & part under Genl. Fellows the engaged in Stockbridge County of Berkshire served in the State New York on the retreat before Genl. Burgoyne
5th then engaged for three months Dismissed after one month Service was Stationed at at Albany under Col. Raymond Hamond Commanded by Maj. Barnes Barnes Enlisted at Stockbridge
6. Turned out at Stockbridge and served half a month, met the prisoners, taken in the battle of Brattleboro, at Williamstown & was dismissed at Canesboro,
7 Engaged & listed under Capt. Raymond at Stockbridge Ms. went to New Haven, Ct. serv d one month, being the summer after the British landed at or near New Haven

D.
Engaged by United and Capt. Bamber at Stockbridge went to New Haven Connecticut Lived one month forgot what year but this summer after the Brits landed at or near that place and destroyed a number of the inhabitants